It's been an eventful Autumn for Trackspeed1 coach John Powell already with his career as a Police Superintendent now officially at a close!
Powell, 53 next month, retired from his 30-year career on October 30th to concentrate fully on maximising his squad's potential this next year, as well as prepare for significant developments on the home front.
"The group are going very well in the albeit very early stages of winter," said John, "and the focus and determination in the squad has never been greater.
"It's encouraging, but nobody is getting carried away yet - there is alot of work between us now and the 2012 summer season."
On the personal front, John is working hard at home to prepare for his new arrival due in February. Powell Junior in the form of Jasmine Ellen is due on 18th February, and will add to a year already crammed with action and excitement.
"I still can't quite believe it," he said, "but obviously I'm thrilled. The balance between coaching and being a dad again shouldn't be too much of an issue - my wife and I have discussed that at length. I think the biggest challenge will be going to America for warm weather training again only 6 weeks after she is due to be born.
"I'll miss her big time, but that's the way it's got to be if we are to get the best out of everyone. It's my job now, albeit unpaid, so I want to make 2012 the most amazing year ever for Trackspeed1!"
Potentially it could be a massive year for Trackspeed1. James Ellington is totally focussed on making the British Olympic team, and Jason Hussain is hoping he might make London 2012 wearing the colours of Pakistan, taking advantage of his father's birthplace.
"James is a very determined young man this time round," commented John, "and it will take an awful lot next year to deny him an individual berth in the Olympic Games. Jason is also slowly getting into shape, and if he can get cleared to represent his father's native country, that will be an amazing experience for him."
In addition, European Junior Champion David Bolarinwa will be looking to make an impression at the World Junior Championships, in Barcelona, along with potentially Omari Carr-Miller, while who John describes as one or two "dark horses" could pull a few surprises if early promise turns into summer success!
"The atmosphere amongst the squad is completely different this year, and a huge improvement on 2010-11," said Greg Funnell, one of the squad therapists. "I really do believe the group could perform very well next year - everyone really does seem very determined to achieve their goals."
Friday, 18 November 2011
Monday, 31 October 2011
HARVARD LINKS STILL GOING STRONG
European Junior 200m Champion David Bolarinwa has kicked off
his winter in style with excellent progress already, reports Trackspeed1 coach
John Powell, and both have now flown to East Coast America for a few days to
continue early winter training.
David’s first impressions of Boston were very positive,
although both athlete and coach were taken a little by surprise by the freezing
temperatures and driving rain and eventual sleet and snow on arrival on Saturday:
“It was a seriously tough session,” said David. “I didn’t go all the way round
the stadium, but I was on my last legs at the end after three sets of the first
eight aisles – that was enough for me!”
David has also been reunited with Harvard staff including Harvard sprints
coach Bryan Fetzer, whom he met during international duty in July in Germany. He is also getting access to the exclusive strength and conditioning facility
that is revered as one of the best in the world at Harvard.
Coach and athlete fly back to the UK on Friday (4th)
They are based in Boston, where John is further developing his
contacts in Harvard University, at the same time availing the five star facilities
to David as a brief change from his usual surroundings at Crystal Palace.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for David to see an American
University and how they work, as well as enjoy some pretty special facilities,”
said John. “This is going to be a
critical development year for David, and he needs to expand his horizons
wherever possible.
"We've already had a shock running into former AAA 800m champion Tim Bayley, who is working with his wife at Harvard. Talk about small world! They have a great team here, and it's a great opportunity to network with coaches their side of the Atlantic and take new ideas home."
 |
| David attacks one of the local challenges in Harvard's football stadium |
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” said
David, “as I have never been anywhere in the States other than warm weather
training in Florida. Boston is a great
city, and I’m looking forward to getting around the Harvard complex and seeing as
much of one of the best universities in the world as possible.”
David has already kicked off his training at Harvard in
style, attacking one of the big local challenges. The university’s American Football stadium houses some evil
steps, and sprinting up these is a challenge failed by many.
 |
| Harvard's football stadium steps present a massive challenge to even the fittest athletes! |
Coach and athlete fly back to the UK on Friday (4th)
Saturday, 8 October 2011
BACK TO THE GRIND!
Trackspeed1 return to full squad training tomorrow (Sunday 9th) and begin their preparation for what is likely to be the most high profile year for track and field in the UK in hstory!
The glory of the World Championships in Korea for James Ellington, the slitz of three medals in the European Juniors for David Bolarinwa, now fade as yesteryear's statistics, as the heat is on for a massive year for athletics.
The business starts with a basic fitness test to see what sort of shape the squad have got themselves into without the guidance of coach John Powell. Then on Tuesday its back to the basics with conditioning sessions based on grass, astroturf, and the winding hill that hugs the outside boundary of Crystal Palace.
"I don't think people, even in track and field, quite realise just how massive a year it is going to be in 2012," said John Powell. "It's not just for the likes of James who should be running in the Olympics, and David who should be right up there in the World Junior Championships, in Barcelona - it's everyone!
"Track and field is the high profile sport at an Olympic Games, and the fact it is this time in our own back yard, I believe, will be the source of huge motivation to people, and everyone will want a slice of the action. If it's managed right - and that is in my opinion still an 'if' - that L-word, 'Legacy', could play a far bigger part than anyone might have imagined."
As usual, there have been changes to the Trackspeed1 landscape since the end of the 2011 summer. Lawrence Wooldridge has left the group, former squad member Andrew Matthews has come in, and John is now talking to an international class 400/hurdler who is looking to hop in from later this week.
"I'm irritated that Lawrence chose to leave," commented John, "as he told me before I went away he was staying, and then I get an email out of the blue. Heaven knows what he is looking for elsewhere, so I just hope he finds the magic wand!
"On the other hand, we are delighted to have Andrew back with us after a spell with Linford Christie. His PB is still a performance achieved whilst last with us, and it would be terrific to get him back to that sort of form. And if this other lad comes in to join the 400m group the likes of Omari Carr-Miller, Jason Hussain and others will have a great little squad to push them through the cold months."
On the coaching side, John has the assistance of English Schools 100m bronze medalist Anton Daley as he recovers over coming months from major back surgery, and another ex-athlete is in talks with the squad with a view to both starting up training again as well as joining John in a coaching role.
The glory of the World Championships in Korea for James Ellington, the slitz of three medals in the European Juniors for David Bolarinwa, now fade as yesteryear's statistics, as the heat is on for a massive year for athletics.
The business starts with a basic fitness test to see what sort of shape the squad have got themselves into without the guidance of coach John Powell. Then on Tuesday its back to the basics with conditioning sessions based on grass, astroturf, and the winding hill that hugs the outside boundary of Crystal Palace.
 |
| Trackspeed1 coach, John Powell: "2012 is going to be massive...!" |
"Track and field is the high profile sport at an Olympic Games, and the fact it is this time in our own back yard, I believe, will be the source of huge motivation to people, and everyone will want a slice of the action. If it's managed right - and that is in my opinion still an 'if' - that L-word, 'Legacy', could play a far bigger part than anyone might have imagined."
As usual, there have been changes to the Trackspeed1 landscape since the end of the 2011 summer. Lawrence Wooldridge has left the group, former squad member Andrew Matthews has come in, and John is now talking to an international class 400/hurdler who is looking to hop in from later this week.
"I'm irritated that Lawrence chose to leave," commented John, "as he told me before I went away he was staying, and then I get an email out of the blue. Heaven knows what he is looking for elsewhere, so I just hope he finds the magic wand!
"On the other hand, we are delighted to have Andrew back with us after a spell with Linford Christie. His PB is still a performance achieved whilst last with us, and it would be terrific to get him back to that sort of form. And if this other lad comes in to join the 400m group the likes of Omari Carr-Miller, Jason Hussain and others will have a great little squad to push them through the cold months."
On the coaching side, John has the assistance of English Schools 100m bronze medalist Anton Daley as he recovers over coming months from major back surgery, and another ex-athlete is in talks with the squad with a view to both starting up training again as well as joining John in a coaching role.
Friday, 16 September 2011
ELLINGTON HITS THE STREETS!
Tomorrow
(Saturday 17th) sees the return of the unique, Great North City Games,
part of the Bupa Great North Run weekend 2011, and Trackspeed1 sprinter James
Ellington will be taking on the Americans in a unique event.
Top
international athletes from both sides of the Atlantiic go head-to-head on a
purpose built track on the streets of Newcastle Gateshead Quayside, and James
will contest the 150m for Great Britain.
As in
previous years, the Great North CityGames 2011 is a completely free event that
offers spectators the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some
of the biggest names in sport and even if you can’t make it to Newcastle all
the action will be televised live on BBC 1 from 1:30PM.
Now in its
third year, the CityGames event will play out one of the greatest rivalries in
international sport; with the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team
taking on their American counterparts over six disciplines including the pole
vault, long jump, track sprints and road races.
Tune in to see James rub
shoulders with some of the biggest names in athletics compete for the last time
before 2012.
Aviva GB&NI Team
Men
100m - Harry
Aikines-Aryeetey, Christian Malcolm
110mH -
William Sharman, Andy Turner
150m - Marlon
Devonish, James Ellington
1 Mile
- Andrew Osagie, Bruce Raeside
2 Mile
- Mo Farah, Jonny Mellor, Andy Vernon, James Wilkinson
Long Jump
- Ezekiel Ewulo, JJ Jegede
Women
100mH
- Ashley Helsby, Sara McGreavy
150m
- Anyika Onuora, Abi Oyepitan
1 Mile
- Hannah England, Jenny Meadows, Emma Pallant
Pole Vault -
Holly Bleasdale, Lucy Bryan
Team USA
Men
100
- Ivory Williams, Jeff Porter
150
- Walter Dix, Maurice Mitchell
1 Mile
- Bernard Lagat, Kyle Miller, Donald Cowart
2 Miles
- Scott Bauhs, A J Acosta, Brian Olinger, Jeff See
110h
- David Oliver, Jason Richardson
Long Jump
- Dwight Phillips, Jeremy Hicks
Women
150
- Carmelita Jeter, Virginia Crawford
100H
- Dawn Harper, Danielle Carruthers
PV
- April Steiner Bennett, Becky Holliday
James Ellington's final appearance on the circular track ended with a 10.42 (-0.7m/s) 100m outing in the B-race at the IAAF Grand Prix in Zagreb on Tuesday.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
SEASON DONE - ALMOST!
It's been a blast - and that's official! One of the best seasons ever for Trackspeed1 has seen PB's for every athlete not suffering from injury this summer, culminating in James Ellington's rise to world class in 200m and relay for Great Britain.
James's World Championship campaign may have been brief, but when his achievements of 2011 are seen in the perspective of the bigger picture, boy, what a season!
James had a potentially career-terminating injury in June 2010, and he has confounded even the most optimistic of coaches' predictions this year in not only coming back from that hamstring tear, but rising to the form of his life, with the ultimate reward of a berth i the World Championships in South Korea.
His season is far from finished though. Al;ready he has contested the Diamond League in Zurich last Thursday, running a blistering leg for Britain's sprint relay team. James burst out of the blocks on first leg, passing on to a renewed British quartet involving Craig Pickering, Marlon Devonish and Mark Lewis-Francis. Finishing second behind World Record holders Jamaica was an outstanding performance, and stood in stark contrast to the disaster a few days earlier in Korea (which did not involve James!)
In the 100m James didn't quite hit his drive phase right and clocked a winning 10.40s, but he will have another crack at the individual spring in Zagreb's IAAF Grand Prix this Tuesday.
Meanwhile, James's training colleagues have all hung up their spikes for the season, and are taking a well-deserved rest before recommencing training in October.
"Everyone gets together for session one on October 9th," explained coach John Powell, "but every athlete will need to be doing some preparation training well before that with the possible exception of James, who will need a later rest period."
Another late performer of 2011 was 16-year-old Omari Carr-Miller, whose 48.66s personal best over 400m in the age-group national championships last month was outstanding given his chequered injiury history stretching back two years.
"Omari has immense talent," said John, "and he and I have already met twice to discuss a strategy for the coming year that will hopefully see him get into serious shape for 2012, and keep him free of injury."
Trackspeed1's profile alters slightly each year, and this year sees the welcome return of squad old boy Andrew Matthews. An athlete who PB'd last time he was in the squad as a junior, and who went to European Junior Championships to, hasn't quite clicked since, and decided to return to his old squad to see if he could rekindle some of the old talent.
Now 25, the time could well be right to peak in a year that could see additional international opportunities for athletes not targeting the Olympics, including the European Championships.
James's World Championship campaign may have been brief, but when his achievements of 2011 are seen in the perspective of the bigger picture, boy, what a season!
James had a potentially career-terminating injury in June 2010, and he has confounded even the most optimistic of coaches' predictions this year in not only coming back from that hamstring tear, but rising to the form of his life, with the ultimate reward of a berth i the World Championships in South Korea.
His season is far from finished though. Al;ready he has contested the Diamond League in Zurich last Thursday, running a blistering leg for Britain's sprint relay team. James burst out of the blocks on first leg, passing on to a renewed British quartet involving Craig Pickering, Marlon Devonish and Mark Lewis-Francis. Finishing second behind World Record holders Jamaica was an outstanding performance, and stood in stark contrast to the disaster a few days earlier in Korea (which did not involve James!)
In the 100m James didn't quite hit his drive phase right and clocked a winning 10.40s, but he will have another crack at the individual spring in Zagreb's IAAF Grand Prix this Tuesday.
Meanwhile, James's training colleagues have all hung up their spikes for the season, and are taking a well-deserved rest before recommencing training in October.
"Everyone gets together for session one on October 9th," explained coach John Powell, "but every athlete will need to be doing some preparation training well before that with the possible exception of James, who will need a later rest period."
Another late performer of 2011 was 16-year-old Omari Carr-Miller, whose 48.66s personal best over 400m in the age-group national championships last month was outstanding given his chequered injiury history stretching back two years.
"Omari has immense talent," said John, "and he and I have already met twice to discuss a strategy for the coming year that will hopefully see him get into serious shape for 2012, and keep him free of injury."
Trackspeed1's profile alters slightly each year, and this year sees the welcome return of squad old boy Andrew Matthews. An athlete who PB'd last time he was in the squad as a junior, and who went to European Junior Championships to, hasn't quite clicked since, and decided to return to his old squad to see if he could rekindle some of the old talent.
Now 25, the time could well be right to peak in a year that could see additional international opportunities for athletes not targeting the Olympics, including the European Championships.
 |
| Former British junoior and Under-23 sprinter, Andrew Matthews, is rejoining Trackspeed1 |
Friday, 2 September 2011
TWO HUNDREDTHS OF A SECOND AND OUT!
 |
| James hits the straight in the heats of the 200m in Daegu |
Just two hundredths of a second stood between James and an automatic place in the semi-finals, as he took fourth place in his heat in 20.82 seconds. Only the first three went through as of right.
All the athletes were way below their season's best, partly affected by the swirling wind in the stadium, which can be a 200m sprinter's nightmare. James's cause was not helped as he stumbled at the start, and his normally electric bend tamed to holding the stagger.
"I'm gutted for him," said coach John Powell afterwards. "He has worked so hard for this, and to go out when, in another heat, 21.03 went through automatically, it does make it a little hard to swallow.
"He should hold his head high though, and be proud of what he has achieved. Last year he had a potentially career-terminayting injury, and here he's at the World Championships. He has done exceptionally well, and now we must move on and focus on the biggest year ever in British Athletics - 2012!!
Thursday, 1 September 2011
IT'S GO TIME FOR ELLINGTON: Korea update 1/9/11
 |
| The Daegu Stadium, where James Ellington will run 200m It’s his first major senior games, and they are now just hours away! Trackspeed1 sprinter James Ellington goes in the World Championship 200 metres, in Daegu, South Korea, at 0310hrs UK time (1110 local). For the now published draw for the 200m heats, see the end of this blog. |
It could be anyone from the more obscure nations to World
Record holder Usain Bolt, but James is ready for any of them:
“Obviously I’d rather not have Bolt in my heat, because
that’s one of the automatic qualifying places gone,” he said, “but I reckon I’m
in good shape and I have every intention of getting into the semi’s, and then
we will see.”
Coach John Powell, also in Korea with his athlete, was
equally upbeat: “James is in fine shape, but knows he has a real job ahead of
him. But there is no reason why he
should not progress beyond the heats, and for someone who has got here with
absolutely no support whatsoever in terms of sponsorship or funding, that would
be fantastic.
“We’ve talked about the various scenarios, including if Bolt is in his heat, but it really comes down to focussing on his own job, and
running the race of his life. I’ve
known James a very long time, and he has been a championship performer in the
past, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t produce the goods here. It will be tight though - there are 25 entries with faster 2011 best times than James, and only 24 places exist in the semi's!”
James completed his final training session yesterday
(Wednesday 31st) and will rest today before he opens his account at what has
thus far been a spectacular world championships. 212 nations have combined to thrill a virtually capacity
crowd most evenings and a healthy attendance in the morning. And in true Far East tradition, the
event has gone like clockwork.
 |
| James Ellington completes his final training session before the World Championship 200 metres, in Daegu, South Korea, Friday 0310hrs UK |
It will of course depend on how many heats there are as to what
the qualifying conditions are, but if the women’s event was anything to go by
today, give heats allowed the first four plus the next fastest four times
through to the semi’s.
“That sort of qualification sounds easy,” said John, “but
believe me it isn’t – you’ve got the very best in the world here, and some
decent athletes fell foul in the heats and will not run again. It really is fight or flight!“
James will learn on Saturday if he is to be part of the 4 x
100m sprint relay effort in heats or final on Sunday.
“James has established himself as a world class third leg at
all the other internationals this year,” said John, “and he has proved time and
again he is one of the best bend runners this country has ever seen. It would be a scandal if he were not
selected, but we will have to wait and see.”
Draw now published. James lane 2 heat 5 (scroll to the right for SB / PB / country)....
Draw now published. James lane 2 heat 5 (scroll to the right for SB / PB / country)....
Heat 1
Friday 02 September 2011 - 11:10
| Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | 2011 | PB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 530 | Roudy Monrose |  HAI | 20.69 | 20.69 |
| 2 | 874 | Femi Ogunode |  QAT | 20.30 | 20.30 |
| 3 | 477 | Sebastian Ernst |  GER | 20.42 | 20.36 |
| 4 | 985 | Sibusiso Matsenjwa |  SWZ | 21.93 | |
| 5 | 1073 | Walter Dix |  USA | 20.02 | 19.69 |
| 6 | 941 | Kim Collins |  SKN | 20.56 | 20.20 |
| 7 | 315 | Amr Ibrahim Mostafa Seoud |  EGY | 20.65 | 20.36 |
| 8 | 968 | Marc Schneeberger |  SUI | 20.52 | 20.42 |
Heat 2
Friday 02 September 2011 - 11:18
| Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | 2011 | PB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 157 | Michael Mathieu |  BAH | 20.38 | 20.38 |
| 2 | 294 | Pavel Maslák |  CZE | 20.66 | 20.66 |
| 3 | 783 | Churandy Martina |  NED | 20.38 | 20.08 |
| 4 | 216 | Bryan Barnett |  CAN | 20.54 | 20.31 |
| 5 | 1009 | Emmanuel Callender |  TRI | 20.67 | 20.40 |
| 6 | 448 | Christian Malcolm |  GBR | 20.54 | 20.08 |
| 7 | 588 | Usain Bolt |  JAM | 19.86 | 19.19 |
Heat 3
Friday 02 September 2011 - 11:26
| Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | 2011 | PB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 384 | Jonathan Åstrand |  FIN | 20.50 | 20.50 |
| 2 | 557 | Paul Hession |  IRL | 20.51 | 20.30 |
| 3 | 165 | Khalilur Rahman |  BAN | 21.34 | 21.34 |
| 4 | 1110 | Darvis Patton | USA | 20.25 | 20.03 |
| 5 | 623 | Yuichi Kobayashi |  JPN | 20.59 | 20.59 |
| 6 | 943 | Brijesh Lawrence | SKN | 20.59 | 20.59 |
| 7 | 801 | Jaysuma Saidy Ndure |  NOR | 20.26 | 19.89 |
| 8 | 532 | Rolando Palacios |  HON | 20.97 | 20.40 |
Heat 4
Friday 02 September 2011 - 11:34
| Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | 2011 | PB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 731 | Mosito Lehata |  LES | 20.93 | 20.93 |
| 2 | 633 | Shinji Takahira | JPN | 20.49 | 20.22 |
| 3 | 969 | Alex Wilson | SUI | 20.51 | 20.51 |
| 4 | 886 | Lebogang Moeng |  RSA | 20.58 | 20.58 |
| 5 | 413 | Christophe Lemaitre |  FRA | 20.21 | 20.16 |
| 6 | 112 | Brendan Christian |  ANT | 20.60 | 20.12 |
| 7 | 584 | Marvin Anderson | JAM | 20.27 | 20.06 |
| 8 | 938 | Leeroy Henriette |  SEY | 21.70 | 21.70 |
Heat 5
Friday 02 September 2011 - 11:42
| Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | 2011 | PB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1074 | Jeremy Dodson | USA | 20.33 | 20.33 |
| 2 | 438 | James Ellington | GBR | 20.52 | 20.52 |
| 3 | 585 | Nickel Ashmeade | JAM | 19.95 | 19.95 |
| 4 | 564 | Calvin Dascent |  ISV | 20.66 | 20.66 |
| 5 | 1147 | Gabriel Mvumvure |  ZIM | 20.67 | 20.67 |
| 6 | 629 | Hitoshi Saito | JPN | 20.55 | 20.42 |
| 7 | 204 | Sandro Viana |  BRA | 20.42 | 20.32 |
Heat 6
Friday 02 September 2011 - 11:50
| Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | 2011 | PB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 258 | Ben Youssef Meité |  CIV | 20.60 | 20.37 |
| 2 | 967 | Reto Schenkel | SUI | 20.51 | 20.51 |
| 3 | 198 | Bruno de Barros | BRA | 20.16 | 20.16 |
| 4 | 1028 | Omar Jouma Bilal Al-Salfa |  UAE | 20.92 | 20.63 |
| 5 | 813 | Alonso Edward |  PAN | 20.28 | 19.81 |
| 6 | 217 | Jared Connaughton | CAN | 20.45 | 20.34 |
| 7 | 770 | Luka Rakic |  MNE | 21.94 | 21.94 |
| 8 | 891 | Thuso Mpuang | RSA | 20.56 | 20.53 |
Heat 7
Friday 02 September 2011 - 11:58
| Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | 2011 | PB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 191 | Nilson Andrè | BRA | 20.56 | 20.41 |
| 2 | 466 | Holder da Silva |  GBS | 21.01 | |
| 3 | 360 | Marek Niit |  EST | 20.43 | 20.43 |
| 4 | 591 | Mario Forsythe | JAM | 20.29 | 20.29 |
| 5 | 262 | Daniel Grueso |  COL | 20.83 | 20.49 |
| 6 | 1015 | Rondel Sorrillo | TRI | 20.16 | 20.16 |
| 7 | 283 | Michael Herrera |  CUB | 20.52 | 20.31 |
| 8 | 851 | Arnaldo Abrantes |  POR | 20.61 | 20.48 |
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